Controlling device for ballast containers in airships



I L 1,620 462 March 8 1927. E. HILLIGARDT CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR BALLAST CONTAINERS IN AIRSI-IIPS Filed Sept. 30, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l E. HILLIGARDT conmonmne DEYICE FOR BALLAST CONTAINERS IN AIRSHIPS Filed Sept. 50. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 8,1927. 1,620,462

52l 627/0f: $40k 3 M41 Patented Mar. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GESELLSCHAFT MIT MANY.

BESGHRAENKTER HAFTUNG, 0F FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, GER- GONTROLLING DEVIGE FOR BALLAST CONTAINERS IN AIRSHIIPS.

Application filed September a0, 1925, Serialm. 59,453, and in Germany October 11, 1924.

My invention relates to a device for controlling whether a. container for li uid is full or empty and more especially with regard to ballast containers in airships.

There are different kinds of ballast con tainers in airships. Some are for gradual discharging of their contents, others are arranged so as to empty all the ballast contained in one moment. I am referring to the latter kind, and the object of my invention is to provide means for indicating at a certain spot within the airship-for example in the control can-whether such container is still full or whether its contents was discharged. The containers for momentary discharging of the ballast generally are made of an inner watertight fabric with an outer sleeve of ordinary fabric. As long as the inner watertight container is full of water or other suitable ballast, its walls press against the outersleeve.

According to my invention I. make use of' this pressure for closing an electric contact so that a current may pass through wires extending from the ballast container situated at any suitable place within the airship to the control can. Here this current will light an electric lamp, constantly or only when a special contact in the car is closed, or it will operate any other suitable indicating means. In case the ballast container was emptied by means of a special device, the pressure on the outer sleeve will disappear and the electric current used for lighting the lamp or for operating another indicating means in the car is interrupted, so that whenclosing the contact in the car, the lamp will not light or the means not operate; thereby indicating that the corresponding container is empty.

Having given a general description of my invention, I now want to point it out in detail, referring to the drawings which represent an example embodying my invention.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through .a ballast container filled with water.

Fig. 2 is the same but showing an empty container. Both figures are partly broken Fig. 3 is a section through the electric contact which is situated on the outer sleeve of the container.

which is confined by wall Fig. 4 is longitudinal section through an airship v In ig. 1 the inner container B-presses against the sleeve A, thereby closing the electric contact 0. In Fig. 2 container B is empty so that it is out of touch with contact 0.

The contact arrangement consists of a casing 0, connected to the sleeve A. Wires d and 6 lead into this casing through a tube f surrounded by a sleeve 9 fitting into a nipple h. The wires are connected to clampscrews 2' and la, respectively, fastened to in W51 m. On the other side of this wall convided intowhich fits a pushing rod 8 having a disc-like outer end- 1- and an inner rounded end t. A spring to serves to press rod 8 outwardly. In case the container B be filled it presses against disc t, thereby compressing spring a and pushing end t of rod 8 against membrane 12, which causes spring 0 to come into contact with contact n, thus creating electric contact between wires 6 and 0?, so that-a current may flow through and operate an indicator situated at any place where-to wires e and. (2 may lead, for example the control car of the airship. Such indicating means are shown for example at D but they may be of any kind an? well-known construction.

I do not want to limit myself to the.

example described or shown in the drawings as many variations will occur to those skilled in the art.

What I.claim is:

1. In an airship a container for ballast a control car situated remote from said ballast container; an electric contact arrangement ada sure resulting om the contents of sald conted to be operated by pres- I tain'er and means for operating an indicator 3. In an airship a container for ballast; depending on said electric contact. a control car situated remote from said 2. In an airship a container for ballast; ballast container; an electric contact ar- 15 a control car situated remote from said rangement adapted to be operated by presballast container; an electric contact arsure resulting from the contents in said conrangement adapted to be operated by prestainer; said electric contact arrangement sure resulting from the contents in said conhaving a gas tight compartment in which tainer; said electric contact arrangement the metallic parts for contact are provided; 20 1 having a watertight campartment in which and means for indioatin in said control car the metallic parts for contact are provided; whether said contact is closed or open.

and means for indicatin in said control car whether said contact is closed or open. ERICH- HILLIGARDT. 

